5 Best Places to Shop in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

This burgeoning, 16-block district—part of an ongoing urban redevelopment project—has changed Downtown Tampa’s cityscape by bringing residences, offices, hotels (including the new Tampa EDITION), shops, restaurants, bars, and pleasant outdoor spaces to the waterfront. Eateries range from the casual yet upscale Anchor and Brine to the sophisticated Battery. Shops include DWELL Home Market, Yura Vine Brothers, and The Modern Paws. 

Within this upscale shopping district's six blocks, you’ll find exclusive retailers such as Rag & Bone, Albisia, and Wolford, as well as locally owned shops. Eateries include Tampa classics like the Goody Goody restaurant; contemporary spots like the Meat Market steak house; and more modern places like Timpano, which serves Italian. Be sure to check out the district’s calendar of events. There’s always something fun going on!

Laid-back Pass-a-Grille is well known for its serene beaches, historic buildings, and small-town vibe. What many visitors—and locals—don't know is that eight blocks north of the island's southern tip lies a strip of upscale local shops and art galleries. Favorites include Paradiso (resort wear, etc.), Galene's Paradise (an eclectic shop of treasures, and A Little Room for Art (an artists' cooperative). An interesting variety of restaurants and bars, including a sweets shop, an Italian restaurant, and Shadrack's, a quintessential beach dive, also line the street.

Not too far from Siesta Key's wildly popular beaches is a cluster of stores, restaurants, and watering holes you won't want to miss. This is a great place to shop and grab a bite after the beach—or earlier if it's not a beach day.

Park in the municipal lot at the end of Avenida Madera, then stroll down Ocean Boulevard, where you'll find clusters of upscale shops and a range of restaurants and bars.

No visit to Sarasota is complete without a visit to this busy yet laid-back shopping hub—literally and figuratively, as it's arranged around a large traffic circle in the middle of Lido Key. (Trivia: it was developed by John Ringling.) You'll find a sprinkling of upscale retail chains, including White House Black Market, but the area's small, imaginative boutiques are the real draws. St. Armand's Circle also offers plenty of dining and dessert (especially ice cream) options, nightlife, and just plain people-watching.